New Delhi, Jul 01 (KNS): More than 100 eminent citizens from India and Pakistan, including former diplomats, politicians, and civil society members, have jointly appealed to Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate steps to restore peace, dialogue, and normalcy between the two countries.
In an open letter dated June 30 accessed news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) the signatories said the continued hostility between the two neighbours has imposed significant social, economic, and human costs on nearly one-fifth of humanity, particularly the youth.
The appeal urged both governments to consider a set of confidence-building measures, including restoration of full diplomatic relations, reinstatement of High Commissioners, and resumption of normal visa services.
It also called for reopening comprehensive bilateral dialogue on all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, and revisiting the framework negotiated between 2004 and 2007.
The signatories proposed reconnecting people and families through easing travel restrictions, enabling exchanges among students, academics, journalists, artists, and civil society groups, and encouraging cultural, educational, and sporting exchanges.
On trade and connectivity, the appeal recommended reopening trade channels, reinstating Most Favoured Nation or equivalent non-discriminatory arrangements, and fully reopening the Attari-Wagah land border for trade and travel.
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It also sought resumption of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service, Delhi-Lahore bus service, Samjhauta Express, and Thar Express train services, as well as reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and access to Sharada Peeth in the Neelam Valley.
The signatories further urged lifting restrictions on media outlets and allowing journalists from both countries to travel and work freely.
The appeal was coordinated by OP Shah, Chairman of the Centre for Peace and Progress.
Among the Indian signatories are former Chief Ministers Dr Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, former diplomat AS Dulat, and Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Pakistani signatories include former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, former envoy Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, nuclear physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy, and rights activist Sheema Kirmani.
The signatories said the appeal was not an endorsement of any political position but a call to place the welfare and future of nearly two billion people above conflict and division. (KNS)